New Delhi: Around 8.7 crore Indians between the ages of 15 and 29 are neither studying, working nor undergoing any form of training, according to a new NITI Aayog report that has called for stronger efforts to connect young people with employment, self-employment and affordable skill development.
The report places these young people in the NEET category, meaning Not in Education, Employment and Training. NITI Aayog said the estimate is based on data from the National Sample Survey conducted in 2021.
The report argues that young people outside education and employment often face financial barriers that make conventional skill-development programmes difficult to access. It has therefore stressed the need for affordable or subsidised training, financial support and opportunities that allow people to earn while learning.
NEET Youth Face Financial Barriers to Skill Training
To improve the impact of skill-development programmes, NITI Aayog has divided India’s workforce and learners into five broad categories, including school education, higher education, formal and informal workers, NEET youth, women and people who combine earning with learning.
The report notes that young people in the NEET category may already be under financial pressure because of the absence of income and money spent on earlier education. In such circumstances, paying separately for intensive skill-development courses can become difficult.
NITI Aayog has therefore recommended affordable or subsidised training for NEET youth and women with weak financial backgrounds. Financial assistance has also been identified as an important requirement for expanding participation in skill-building programmes.
The report further emphasises that training should be connected with local demand and self-employment opportunities so that skill development can lead to practical income-generating options.
Only 8.25% of Graduates in Jobs Matching Qualifications
The report also raises concern over the mismatch between higher education and employment outcomes.
According to NITI Aayog, only 8.25% of graduates in India are working in jobs that are commensurate with their educational qualifications.
The report says students from low-income families already face the burden of college fees and tuition costs. Paying separately for skill-development courses after completing a traditional degree may not be financially feasible for many of them.
As a result, some graduates may accept lower-paying jobs to support their families, while others struggle to secure employment and eventually become part of the NEET category.
NITI Aayog has stressed that skill development should not be treated as separate from education and employment. Instead, opportunities to learn, work and earn need to be integrated more closely.
Skill Development Linked to Viksit Bharat 2047 Goal
NITI Aayog has linked the need for stronger skill development with the broader goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The report says achieving this objective will require citizens to be able to continuously learn, earn and grow, with skill development playing a central role in improving employment prospects and productivity.
It also states that more than 7.67 crore people have received training since 2014-15.
The findings underline the scale of the challenge facing India’s young population. With 8.7 crore people aged 15 to 29 estimated to be outside education, employment and training, the report calls for skill programmes that are affordable, locally relevant and better connected with actual earning opportunities.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
